An In-Depth Guide to Ludo: 5 Things to Know

Ludo is a classic board game with centuries of traditions that precede it. Ludo is an engaging game with a rich history, dating back to the 6th century in India. It was popularly known as Pachisi, or Chaupar, and was played on different media, including wool and cloth. Players previously used cowrie shells and wooden pawns to determine the movement in the game. The game was played in Mahabharata, as the game of dice was an indulgence for the royal family. Thus, it has a rich heritage, offering you knowledge of history and life effectively. The game attracts people of all generations, be it young or old.

The game of Ludo can accommodate four players. Thus, two to four players can play Ludo simultaneously by competing against each other. Players require access to the equipment that includes a Ludo board, tokens, die, and die cup. With the onset of the new digital age, the game has also approached the digital medium. Ludo game online provides easy and convenient access to the board game so that you can play it anywhere, anytime. The die has a random algorithm, which makes the gameplay fair providing each player an equal opportunity to win.

The Ludo Die

The dice is the core equipment in the Ludo game. A die has six faces, and on each face, it bears a dot ranging from one to six. The players roll the die on their turn, and the number of dots that show up decide the steps that the Ludo token can move. The highest throw of the die that is six, starts the game. That is, players must roll a six in the opening turn to bring the token from the home quadrant to the start position. Once the die is in a position to navigate the path, it can use other die numbers. If you throw a six, you can roll the die again. But if you get a six the third time consecutively, it will cancel the turn, rendering it null and void. Certain other situations allow you to throw the die again. These are when you capture your opponent’s pieces and when your token enters the home triangle. The die cup provides players the ease to efficiently roll the die.

Ludo Tokens

Based on the color that players choose, they get four tokens of the chosen color. The players need to move the tokens across the board into the home triangle. The first player who can bring each of their tokens into the triangle is the winner. The other players compete for the remaining positions.

Ludo Board

  • Ludo quadrant: The Ludo board is square. At each corner, the board has a quadrant of a particular color. Generally, the board features four primary colors, blue, green, red, and colors. The quadrant houses four tokens of a similar color within its premises. The tokens stay here until the player brings them to the start position. The quadrant thus functions as the home base for tokens of corresponding colors.
  • Ludo Track: Ludo has a cross-shaped path through which the tokens circum-navigate the path. The path leads the Ludo pieces from the start to the home triangle. Each arm of the cross-shaped track has three rows. The middle row leads the tokens into the home triangle of the corresponding color. Each row has six squares. Thus there are 72 squares in total on the board. The star-marked squares are considered spaces in which the pieces can reside without being attacked.
  • Home Triangle: The middle point of the cross-shaped track consists of a square divided into four triangles of the color that appears on the board. The goal for each player is to bring their tokens into the home triangle.

How to play Ludo?

The rules of the Ludo game are simple to grasp and understand. Once the players choose the preferred color, the game proceeds in a clockwise direction.

  • Players roll die to start their turn. They must roll a six to open a token, or it forfeits the turn. In the following turns, they can use the six to either start a new token or move the one already in play.
  • Players must navigate their token across the path into the home triangle. When they get the opportunity, they can capture the opponent’s token. The captured token goes back to its quadrant.
  • Once the token reaches the home arm that leads to the home triangle, they require an exact roll to land into the home area.

Why Play Ludo?

Ludo appeals to people of all age groups. It is fun, easy, and engaging. In children, it equips them with an understanding of real-life skills and teaches them how to positively handle failure and success. It boosts their cognitive skills, focus, and concentration. Adults play Ludo to reignite bonds, relieve stress, and healthily engage their minds.

To Conclude:

These are a few things you should know about playing the classic board game, Ludo. You can now download the Ludo app and play it on your smartphone. Moreover, it also allows you to earn while you play, making the game more exciting.

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